fitch



(No Model.)

H. A. FITCH.

APPARATUS FOR AGING SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS, WINES, &c.

No. 834,222. Patented Jan. 12,1886.

17 2722 ewes N. PEN-Ins Phnlo-Lllhographer. Washmglnm D. c.

NITED STATES HORACE A. FITCH, OF NEXV YORK, N. Y.

APPARATUS FOR AGING SPIRITUCUS LIQUORS,WINES, 800.

SPECIFICATION formizfg part of Letters Patent. No. 334,222, datedJanuary 12, 1886.

Application filed October 22, 1884.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HORACE A. FrroH, of New York, in the county of NewYork and State of New York, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Apparatus for Aging Spirituous Liquors, Wines, &c., ofwhich the following is a specification.

My improvement relates to apparatus for aging spirituous liquors, wines,850., by placi'n'g in'a receptacle containing the samea lamp, which willshed light and impart heat thereto. Liquors and wines may be aged,ripened, and purifiedin this Way.

My improvement consists in the combina tion, with a receptacle forcontaining liquor, wine, 850., of a glass tube extending into ther'eceptacleand having aclosed bottom and a lamp arranged in the portionof the tube which is Within the receptacle.

The accompanying drawing is a transverse section of a barrel, a sideView of a glass tube extending into the barrel, and a side view of alamp in the tube.

A designates the barrel. It may be of any approved style. I am notconfined to the use of such a receptacle, but may use one of any othersuitable construction.

13 designates a glass tube,whi'ch is closed at the bottom, but which isshown as open at the top. It extends down into the lower part of thebarrel through a bung-hole in the upper part of the barrel. In the glasstube I place a lamp, 0. While this lamp may be of any kind, it willpreferably be an incandescent electric lamp. The wires D D,whereby theelectric current is conducted to and from the lamp 0, extend down thetube to it.

Above thelamp I preferably arrange in the tube B a plug or stopper ofindia-rubber, E, in order that the heat generated by the lamp may beprevented from escaping at the upper end of the tube. Of course when anylamp except an electric lamp is employed provision would have to be madefor conveying to it, through the tube B, air sufficient for supportingcombustion, and for conveying from it, through the tube 13, the wasteproducts of combustion. The plug or stopper E will, as far aspracticable, be kept on a level with the surface ofthe liquor in thebarrel.

Around the tube B, where it emerges from the barrel, I preferably placea packing of india-rubber or other suitable material, F, whenever thebarrel has to be kept tightly Serial No. 146,227. (No model.)

closed, to prevent damage ensuing to the contents, or evaporation of itsspirits.

By my improvement liquors, wines, 850., may be treated by a lampproducing artificial light and heat, and yet direct contact of the lampwith the liquor, wine, 850., will be prevented. This is desirable,because all fumes or vapor arising from the lamp will be prevented fromfiring or contaminating the contents of the receptacle. All vaporsarising from the contents of the receptacle will also be prevented fromcoming in dangerous proximity to the lamp. The heatof thelamp will be somollified by the glass tube B before affecting the contents of thereceptacle that evaporation of the contents of the receptacle will notbe so liable to occur as otherwise.

As nothing but the surface of the glass tube comes in contact with thecontents of the receptacle,'they are'not contaminated.

I do not claim, broadly, the process of aging alcoholic liquors,consisting in exposing them to the influence of the light proceedingfrom an electric lamp or electric lamps immersed in the liquor containedin a closed vessel.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with a receptacle for containing alcoholic liquors,&c., of a glass tube extending into the receptacle and having a closedbottom and a lamp arranged in the portion of the tube which is withinthe receptacle, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with a receptacle for containing alcoholic liquors,&c., of a glass tube extending into the receptacle and having a closedbottom, a lamp arranged in the portion of the tube which is within thereceptacle, and a stopper in the tube above the lamp, substantially asspecified.

3. The combination, with a receptacle for containing alcoholic liquors,&c., of a glass tube extending into the receptacle and having a closedbottom, a packing between the tube and the sides of the hole in thereceptacle through which it passes, and alamp arranged in the portion ofthe tube which is within the receptacle, substantially as specified.

II. A. FITCH.

W'itnesses:

T. J. KEANE, W. G. LIPsnY.

